Last-second layup gives Dale title win over Kingston

Sunday

Jan 7, 2018 at 12:40 AM

by contributing writer Fred Fehr

KINGSTON — A back-door layup by Mikayla Rutland with four seconds remaining gave Class 2A third-ranked Dale a 50-48 victory over 11th-ranked (3A) Kingston Saturday night in the finals of the Kingston Classic.

After Rutland scored off a pass from Elaine Witt, Kingston attempted a shot from well beyond midcourt but it didn’t come close.

Dale never trailed after sprinting to a 14-5 lead after one quarter, but Kingston was within 37-34 entering the last eight minutes.

“The bench — Lacey Savage, Jacie McClure and Brenlee Sheppard — really stepped up and gave us some good minutes,” Dale coach Josh Forsythe said. “We were able to make some big plays down the stretch. It was a great team win.”

Boys

A first-quarter scoring binge by Talihina proved to be too big a hole for Dale to climb as the Pirates suffered a 55-49 setback at the Classic.

Talihina, ranked third in Class 2A, led 19-6 after one quarter, but Dale fought back within 26-24 at the half. Talihina outscored the Pirates 18-10 in the third quarter.

Gabe Gouge, Dale’s leading scorer with 13, was 3 of 3 from the line. Logan Woodruff added nine points, including 3 of 4 charities.

Dallon Forsythe and Brady Johnson recorded two treys apiece as Dale slipped to 5-8.

Talihina netted four 3-point field goals.

“I’m proud of the way we came back after the first quarter,” Dale coach Jeff Edmonson said. “We didn’t quit in the second half.”